In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the High Council for Audiovisual and Communication (CSAC) has reassessed the measures taken against the television channel CML13TV, the host of the special edition “Libre Opinion”, as well as guests. This plenary meeting revealed that the chain’s suspension for a preventive period has been reduced from 45 to 30 days. On the other hand, the host received a 90-day suspension while the two guests, MPs Daniel Safu and Mike Mukebayi, were deprived of appearing in the media broadcasting in the DRC for 90 days.
This meeting follows a press release published on May 22 by the CSAC, in which it regretted the content of the special program “Libre Opinion”, broadcast by CML13TV on May 20, describing it as a “discouraging spectacle” at the view of the sulphurous contents that it transmitted.
The CSAC notably criticizes the journalist-presenter Louis-France Kuzikeza for having organized a media performance whose content conveyed hate speech as well as remarks tending to incite violence against a tribe and personal attacks in this special edition. He is therefore suspended from all media in the DRC for a period of 72 days.
The CSAC also points to a “deliberate desire to jeopardize national cohesion” among the guests. The Council even recommends to the parliamentary chambers to open disciplinary actions to prevent these acts from happening again.
The CSAC also requested the collaboration of the media for the strict application of these measures.
This reassessment of the measures will lead to an “embargo” on CML13TV, which will have to present its administrative documents as well as the program schedule and the specifications before any reconnection.
This decision, taken by the CSAC, aims to reaffirm the need for the preservation of peace in the country, as well as respect for journalistic and media rules to ensure that such hate speech is never broadcast again.